Travelling To- AFC Totton

After a week of no football, I was determined to cram the games in this week and after nearly staying home to watch the perfect remedy for insomnia that is the England national football team I decided at the last minute to head over to the Testwood Stadium for some FA Trophy action between AFC Totton and Wimborne Town for my second game in as many days.

This was my second trip to the ground this season and my third visit in total having witnessed Southampton Women’s thrash Newbury Ladies last month and AFC Totton losing heavily to Frome Town back in November 2013.

Jamie Davidson’s brace was enough to send Wimborne Town into the next round of the FA Trophy despite Totton pulling things level through a Mike Gosney free kick just before half time.

After drawing 2-2 at the W+S Stadium on Saturday, Davidson opened the scoring with a lovely free kick before Gosney levelled the scoring. With extra time looming, Davidson was on hand at the back post to fire in the winner and put the Magpies in the hat for the next round.

The game was scrappy from the off and it was Gosney who was looking like the biggest threat from the home side, testing the visiting early with a shot that Gerard Benfield spilled in front of him but was quick to pounce on the loose ball. Gosney then tested the ‘keeper again from distance, this time Benfield tipped it around the post.

It was the visitors who took the lead after 15 minutes through Jamie Davidson when he hit a sweet 20 yard free kick into the back of the net, clipping the top of the crossbar on its way in.

Gosney then had a great chance to equalise when he raced through and beat the offside trap, but the Town goalkeeper came out to narrow the angle and managed to save well with his legs.

Wimborne right back Sam Roberts then wasted a good attacking opportunity when he ran from deep but lacked any direction on the shot as he dragged it wide.

Toby Holmes then forced a good save from Steve Mowthorpe with a first time shot as Town looked to be heading into the break in the lead.

Totton equalised on 43 minutes through a well-hit Gosney free kick. The referee dubiously pulled a free kick back after no advantage and the Totton number 11 stepped up to fire into the top corner.

After the break Totton looked the brighter of the two teams as the one man show that is Mike Gosney went close to putting his side in the lead after the defence got into a muddle.

Holmes then wasted another chance for the visitors when he went through one-on-one but as the ‘keeper came off his line, the striker could only loft the ball over the bar and out for a goal kick.

Wimborne did take the lead on the hour mark when Holmes provided a bullet cross into the box which evaded everyone and landed to Davidson at the back post who would have found it hard to miss from that distance.

Totton looked for an instant response but after Gosney played a clever one-two with Dave Allen, he hit a tame shot straight at the ‘keeper.

The goal settled the away side as they took control of the game and nearly extended the lead through Louis Kellaway but he dragged his shot wide.

Stefan Penny then had a good chance to score for the away side when Sam Roberts made a mess of the interception leaving Penny with a clear run on goal but his curling effort was tipped over my Mowthorpe.

As the clock ticked down, Totton Dave Allen thought he had headed in the equaliser but Benfield got a strong hand to the chance to ensure his side’s progression in the cup.

Search

Search for:

About

Having been to well over 500 games and already visited over 150 grounds, I am often asked 'Do I write about my adventures?'. My answer to that question had always been followed with a simple 'no', until now.
As the start of the 2016/17 season creeps ever nearer, I felt that it would be a good time to set up this blog. The Terrace Traveller is born. Keep checking this blog to find out which patch of grass I will be watching football at next. Enjoy!